Trash and Recycling

In the City of Encinitas, for public health purposes, the collection of solid waste is a mandatory service. All residents and businesses are liable for payment of fees for the mandatory service, per Section 11.20.010 of the Encinitas Municipal Code.

The City has an exclusive franchise agreement with EDCO Waste and Recycling Services to provide solid waste collection services in Encinitas for both residential and commercial customers. EDCO is the only authorized company that can haul solid waste in the City of Encinitas.

Rates are set by the City Council. As a part of their regular service, EDCO will provide residential customers with one of the following: 35-gallon container or 95-gallon container. Additional containers are available at an additional charge. Both levels of service include pickup of recyclable materials and yard waste. Click here for information on the curbside recycling program.

Commercial businesses and multi-family dwellings (i.e. apartment complexes) may subscribe for a different level of service based on volume and frequency of pickup desired. For further questions regarding your trash service, contact EDCO at 760-436-4151.

Mandatory Commercial and Multi-Family Recycling

Effective July 1, 2012, California State law AB341 requires that commercial enterprises which generate four cubic yards or more of solid waste weekly participate in recycling programs. This requirement also includes multi-family housing complexes of five units or more, regardless of the amount of solid waste generated each week. EDCO Waste and Recycling Services, the City’s permitted waste and recycling contractor, offers commercial recycling services throughout Encinitas. EDCO representatives will establish recycling services that meet your needs for a reasonable monthly cost. Establishing recycling programs may help actually lower your total cost for waste collection services since recycling service fees are substantially lower than waste collection fees.

Click here for more information on commercial and multi-family recycling services

Mandatory Organics Recycling (AB1826)

In October of 2014 California adopted Assembly Bill 1826, requiring all businesses to recycle their organic waste materials on and after April 1, 2016. This mandate helps California in achieving their overall waste diversion (75% by 2020) and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

Food Scraps and Compostable Paper: food waste and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste

Green Waste/Landscape Materials and Nonhazardous Wood Waste

Requirements for Multi-Family Properties: Apartment and Condominium Complexes of 5 units or more are required to recycle organic waste.

Multi-Family Organic Waste Includes:

Green Waste/Landscape Materials and Nonhazardous Wood Waste

Multifamily complexes are not required to have a food waste diversion program; however, those with 5+ units generating enough landscape related organics will be required to recycle those organics.

Implementation dates:

April 1, 2016 - Businesses generating 8 CY of Organic Waste

January 1, 2017 - Businesses generating 4 CY of Organic waste

January 1, 2019 - Businesses generating 4 CY of SOLID WASTE

CalRecycle may implement 2 CY of commercial SOLID WASTE, January 1, 2020 if statewide disposal of organic waste is not reduced by half

ALL generators of landscape waste and clean wood waste meeting the 8 CY/week threshold will be required to have a recycling program in place by April 1, 2016. Businesses may self-haul, mulch/compost on site (with appropriate state permitting), or contact EDCO for collection services.

San Diego Region & Organics

Currently in the San Diego region there is adequate capacity for recycling landscape and clean wood waste materials; however, the capacity needed to meet the demand for diverting all food waste is still under development. Thus, the City and EDCO will be working closely with their food waste generating customers through the following tiered priority approach:

1. Prevention of Food Waste

First and foremost this helps our businesses improve their bottom line. Following are resources that can help businesses in developing their food waste prevention plan:

Nearly one in seven San Diego residents (approximately 500,000 people annually) does not know where their next meal is coming from. Regionally, almost 500,000 tons of food waste is sent to the landfill – the City wants to support our businesses in setting up systems to donate food to help end hunger in throughout San Diego County.

After all possible means of food waste prevention and donation of edible food have been pursued, remaining food waste materials can be collected for recycling/composting. As the City’s franchised hauler, EDCO will be responsible for providing collection services for non-edible food. Waste assessments to help maximize overall waste diversion efforts (organics and recycling) are also available through EDCO upon request.

Helpful Links:

Construction and Demo Debris

On July 9, 2008, the City of Encinitas adopted a Construction & Demolition Debris (C&D) Ordinance (Chapter 11.22). The City adopted this ordinance to help divert waste from landfills and comply with statewide mandates. C&D materials include, but are not limited to, asphalt, concrete, brick, dirt, rock, lumber, cardboard, metals and any vegetative or other land clearing/landscaping materials. All covered projects are required to reuse, salvage or recycle 60% of all C&D Debris generated from the project. Prior to issuance of a demolition or building permit applicants must submit Part 1 of the Waste Management Plan for approval.

Wastes Banned from the Trash

Many common products that we use in our daily lives contain potentially hazardous ingredients and require special care when disposed of. It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains, or onto the ground. Chemicals in illegally disposed hazardous waste can be released into the environment and contaminate our air, water, and possibly the food we eat. And by throwing hazardous waste in the garbage, you can cause additional hazards to your garbage handler. Click here for information on Hazardous Waste disposal services.

Regulations to protect public health and the environment have been changing. This is because we now know that some common items that have traditionally been thrown in your household's or small business' trash cannot be safely disposed in landfills. These common items are referred to as hazardous waste, and include motor oil, paint, "universal waste" (u-waste), electronic waste, medication waste, and sharps waste.

Compost Bins and Workshops

Food scraps and yard trimmings can easily be diverted from the trash by composting or vermicomposting (with worms). Composting is an easy way to convert kitchen and yard waste into mulch for your garden. To support residents in making the transition to composting and/or vermicomposting, the City subsidizes the cost of compost/vermicompost bins and workshops, both of which are available through the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation.

Backyard composting is an important strategy for managing discarded resources. Yard trimmings and food scraps, taken together, make up one of the largest components of residential discarded resources. Backyard composting is one of the most economical and effective methods of recycling these organic materials. Composting prevents air pollution and saves money, energy and water. Adding compost to your soil will also improve soil structure, improve soil chemistry, and produce healthier plants.